Meet Cardell

Born in Portsmouth, Virginia , Cardell C. Patillo, Jr. has been favored by God to spread the message of hope. A dedicated father, gifted communicator, teacher and mentor to many, Cardell has dedicated his life to service.

Cardell completed his undergraduate studies attending Norfolk State University and Liberty University. Cardell earned a Master of Arts Degree in Pastoral Counseling from Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia. In May of 2013 Cardell completed the Master of Divinity program at the Samuel Dewitt Proctor School of Theology at Virginia Union University (Richmond, Virginia). In 2021, Cardell completed his doctoral studies at the Virginia University of Lynchburg (Lynchburg, Virginia) in Healthcare Administration.

In June 2004, Cardell was ordained and installed as Youth Pastor of Fourth Baptist Church where Charles W. Beamon is Pastor. Cardell served for 8 years as the full time Youth Pastor on staff at Grove Baptist Church where Dr. Melvin O. Marriner is Senior Pastor. The youth ministry was a vibrant ministry which served over 700 youth on roll between the ages of 3 and 20.

Cardell is currently the Executive Director of  Mile High Kids and Community Development, Inc. Mile High Kids currently administers the Federal Head Start grant for the City of Virginia Beach and currently has over 50 employees and 4 preschool locations.

Recognizing his devotion to the youth of the community , Cardell was elected to the Portsmouth School Board in November of 2014 and 2018. In 2015, Cardell was recognized by Inside Business Magazine as a Top 40 Under 40 award recipient and in 2018 he received the Benjamin Mays Lifetime Achievement award by the National School Board Association. Cardell was also appointed to serve on the Board of Directors for the Virginia School Boards Association.

Cardell remains very active in the community. He started the Cardell Patillo Leadership Academy. It is a male mentoring program that has mentored well over 300 young men in the last 5 years. He was appointed to the Virginia Public School Authority by Gov. Terry McAuliffe and currently serves as Vice-Chair. Cardell was also selected as the Honorary Chairperson the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life events. Cardell is a proud member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. and the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Virginia.